http://vr-zone.com/articles/ultimat...-8c16t-on-an-asus-rampage-iv-gene-/14486.html 8 cores / 16 threads in a single CPU box, I know what my next CPU will be now
I'm not sure that the octo-core chips will be all that good for people on a tight budget. The cheapest, at $1100+, only runs at 2.0 GHz (although we don't yet know which, if any, models will be unlocked or have a usable bclk strap). I am considering it as an option for my Xeon build though - I won't be able to afford a decent motherboard and 2 top-end chips at the same time, so might start with one processor and an X79 board, and gradually upgrade through the rest of the year http://www.cpu-world.com/news_2011/2011102701_Prices_of_Xeon_E5-2600-series_CPUs.html
Ahem. Asus have an SR-X equivalent too... http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-s-dual-socket-2011-workstation-motherboard--z9pe-d8-ws/14488.html Shame it's not ROG branded....
I had the same thought, shame it's not ROG. I'm glad I'm not looking to buy into the new platform until a couple of months after it's launched (I'll at least be waiting for the D stepping processors) as there should be a few reviews of both cards (and other dual socket overclocking boards, if any others exist), as well as a slightly more mature BIOS
for the $$ of the 8 core chip, I'd get a 4P G34 AMD rig. The mobo can be expensive, but the procs can be had from around $100 on up (Opteron 6128) (average for a decent one being $500-600, Opteron 6166,6174). To put together a 'starter' rig, it costs as low as $1000-1200 or so (starting with 2 procs). More processors can be added later. The 4P 6128 version can make around 200k-250k PPD. A 6166/6174 rig can make around 450k-550k PPD.
I'm definitely going to go with an overclockable Server type board next, like the SR-X. There's so much more mileage in it than the desktop models I've got at the moment. It'll be a while before the next upgrade though for me.... broke now
I'll be skint for a couple of years after this build - I might start out with just enough to get the system working, but ultimately I aim to have the best of everything (fastest processors, fastest memory, quad GPUs, SSDs in raid, etc). I might even build an underground reservoir (using an old oxygen cylinder, or something similar) to keep the temps low
No more upgrading this year as my 3930K build cost quite enough (now folding @ 4.3 GHz pulling 275 watts). These dual socket boards do look tasty though, maybe next year when Ivy Bridge - E is available.
Ooooo these Dual Socket 2011 boards are making my wallet itch but in reality I don't think I will build one this year as already got too many expensive things planned already, will just have to hammer my SR2 for every (reliable) Mhz I can squeeze out of it lol
US$350 can get you a dual socket F motherboard, 2x 2.7ghz quad core Opterons and 4gb RAM on eBay. Just sayin' Also US$400 can get the equivalent socket 771 xeon setup.
I already have a dual-socket F board (L1N64-SLI/WS) with a single FX74. I will be selling the combo soon, probably for around £100 (I bought them a few years ago, and then life got in the way and the system never got finished! Now that I have started buying parts ready for a dual-2011 build, dual-socket F is no longer worth me spending money on.